Chapter Seventy Nine

Almost immediately, the car began to move, a wave of fear washed over me. The reality of what I was about to face hit me with full force, and my heart raced in my chest. Salie noticed my distress and reached out to hold my hand, offering me a reassuring smile.

"Naomi, it's going to be okay," Salie said, her voice calm and soothing. "We're in this together, and we won't let anything harm you or the baby."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "I know, Salie. But what if Rueben's mother, the queen, tries to chase me away again? What if she doesn't want me to take my rightful place?"

Rueben, who had been driving silently, glanced at me through the rearview mirror. His eyes were filled with determination and love. "Naomi, I promise you that nothing like that will happen. My mother may have opposed our relationship before, but she has come to understand and accept our love. She will support us."

I wanted to believe Rueben's words, to trust that everything would work out as he s